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ILLUSTRATED 



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WILLIAM H. RAU 

PHILADELPHIA 

1889 



Descriptive Reading 



ON 



NEW YORK CITY 



//' ILLUSTRATED BY TWELVE LANTERN 

SLIDES 



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M 



WILLIAM H. RAU 

PHILADELPHIA 
1889 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



1. General Grant's Tomb, Riverside Park. 

2. Governor's Island. 

3. The Brooklyn Bridge. 

4. The Tomls. 

5. The Egyptian Obelisk, Central Park. 
G. Wall Street. 

7. 'Bartholdi's Statue of " Liberty Enlightening the World,' 

on Bedloe's Island, New York Bay. 

8. City Hall. 

9. The Post Office. 

10. New York from the North River. 

11. Highest Point of the Elevated Railroad at llGth Street 

and 8th Avenue. 

12. Residence of W. H. Vanderbilt, corner 5th Avenue and 

52d Street. 



(95) 



NEW YORK CITY. 



1. General Grant's Tomb, Riverside Park. — Beauti- 
ful as the situation of Riverside Park is, it cannot boast of any 
special prominence before the general public earlier than the 
month of August, 1885, at which time America's greatest gen- 
eral was buried here with the honors befitting his exalted rank 
and inestimable services to the country. The tomb is located 
at Claremont, and may be conveniently reached by taking the 
elevated railroad on 6th Avenue to 125th Street, whence a short 
walk will bring the visitor to the spot. Interesting as other 
attractions of the great city may be, the lover of his country 
will here feel that the place where he stands is sacred ground, 
when it is remembered whose are the ashes that are here pre- 
served, how vast are the obligations owed to him, and how 
peculiarly solemn and sad were the circumstances attending 
his departure from this life. 

2. Governor's Island. — This island, which has been re- 
served by the General Government for its own uses for many 
years, contains rather more than sixty acres of ground, and is 
situated near the Brooklyn side of the bay south of the Battery. 
The view of the island obtained from passing steamers is a 
picturesque one, the old-fashioned fort known as Castle Wil- 
liams forming a prominent feature. This is well shown in our 
illustration. If judged from a military standpoint, this fort is 
now quite antiquated, as well as the armament contained in it. 
Government buildings and offices of different kinds occupy the 
remainder of the island, together with a spacious parade- 
ground, magazines, arsenals, etc., etc. The Dutch colonists 

(97) 



98 NEW YORK CITY. 

who settled the present city of New York were not slow to 
perceive the natural attractions of the island, and it was con- 
sequently inhabited at the same early date. 

3. The Brooklyn Bridge.— The Brooklyn (or East 
River) Bridge crosses the East River, running from Chatham 
Street, New York, to Fulton Street, Brooklyn. It is one of the 
greatest engineering efforts of the century. The chief span 
over the river, between the towers, is 1,595 feet in length by 
135 feet in height. Ordinary sailing-vessels can thus pass 
freely under the structure. This great elevation of the bridge 
has not deterred some foolhardy individuals from leaping to 
the water below— a feat done for notoriety's sake. Every effort 
is made by the police to prevent the recurrence of such at- 
tempts. The steel wire cables supporting the bridge are 15f 
inches in diameter, and are four in number. The sinking of 
the caissons which underlie the great stone towers was alone a 
triumph of engineering skill. The one on the Brooklyn side is 
168 feet in length by 102 feet in breadth. The height of the 
towers above the water is 270 feet, while their dimensions at 
the surface of the water are 140 feet by 50 feet. 

As is usually the case in great public undertakings, the ex- 
pense was greatly in excess of the estimates. The work cost 
about $15,000,000 ; was begun January 2d, 1870 ; and the 
bridge was ready for travel in 1883. The toll has been re- 
duced to the nominal sum of one cent for foot-passengers. 
Nearly 100,000 persons cross the bridge every day. 

4. The Tombs.— This building, together with the Egyptian 
obelisk in Central Park, will undoubtedly appeal to those 
who are in any wise interested in Egyptology. It is a remark- 
ably good reproduction of an Egyptian building, and it is to 
be regretted that so clever a piece of architecture should be 
devoted to the uses of a common city jail. The name of " The 



NEW YORK CITY. 99 

Tombs " is said to have been given to it on account of the 
large number of deaths that took place there from the damp- 
ness, the ground on which it stands having formerly been a 
swamp. It was built in 1840. Executions take place in the 
quadrangle in the interior. Certain courts are also held in the 
building. The Commissioners of Corrections and Charities 
furnish permits to visitors desirous of seeing the interior. The 
building occupies the block between Centre and Elm Streets 
on the east and west, and Franklin and Leonard on the north 
and south. 

5. The Egyptian Obelisk, Central Park.— This very 
interesting relic of by-gone times, also known as "Cleopatra's 
Needle," was presented in the year 1877 to New York City 
by Ismail Pasha, late Khedive of Egypt. The large expense 
of transporting the stone to America was defrayed by W. H. 
Vanderbilt. Of the great obelisks of Egypt, this one ranks 
sixth in point of size. It is of very high antiquity, dating back 
at least fifteen hundred years before the Christian era, and 
was made under command of Thothmes III. Literal trans- 
lations of the hieroglyphic inscriptions on its sides will be 
found in the guide-books : they are historical in character. 

Shortly after its erection on its present site, in Central Park, 
it was noticed that considerable portions of its sides fell off 
in the form of scaly chips. This was believed to be the eflfect 
of the American climate, our severe and sudden extremes of 
heat and cold being unknown in Egypt. An attempt to rem- 
edy this has been made by coating it with paraffine, and it 
seems to be so far successful. 

This obelisk, which was standing as long ago as the days of 
Moses, must rank as one of the greatest of the curiosities of 
the city. 

6. Wall Street. — In all financial and commercial circles 
Wall Street is a household word, and is known as the street 



100 NEW YORK CITY. 

occupied almost exclusively by bankers, brokers and dealers 
in money. Its fame is world-wide, and it is very properly 
regarded as the money center of the United States, 

Wall Street runs east from Broadway to the East River, 
beginning just opposite to Trinity Church, which is seen in 
the background of the picture. The top of the spire of 
Trinity Church is 284 feet above the street. Trinity parish 
is the oldest and wealthiest in New York, and owns large 
quantities of land, which have greatly increased in value since 
the days when Queen Anne of England bestowed them upon 
the church. The church is open for daily morning and 
evening prayer, besides the regular Sunday services. 

Many intei-esting historical associations cluster ai-ound this 
locality. The walls of " New Amsterdam," as the city of 
NcAv York used to be called in earlier days, ran along this 
street. The building where Washington was inaugurated as 
first President of the republic stood on the site of the present 
United States Sub-Treasury, on the corner of Nassau Street. 
Close by, on Nassau Street, is the Old Middle Dutch Church, 
on the steeple of which Franklin performed some important 
experiments in electricity. 

7. Bartholdi's Statue of " Liberty Enlightening the 
World," on Bedloe's Island, New York Bay.— This 

colossal statue, the principal object of interest in New York 
Bay, and a striking ornament to its waters, commanding the 
attention of all visitors, but particularly of such as enter the 
port of New York from the Atlantic, was a gift from the 
people of France to the people of the American Republic. 
A number of years elapsed between the inception of the idea 
of a lighthouse and statue combined and of colossal size and 
the final carrying-out of the plan, which was hindered by the 
usual difficulties and jealousies of political scheming. The 
statue was finally unveiled October 28th, 1886, in the pres- 



NEW YORK CITY. 



101 



€nce of an immense concourse of people and numerous nota- 
bilities. The following measurements are interesting : 

Highest point of statue above water-line. . . 305 ft. 11 in. 

Height of statue itself 151 feet. 

Height of pedestal 90 feet. 

Apart from its imposing effect as a work of art, the purposes 
of a lighthouse are admirably fulfilled by this " eighth wonder 
of the world," as De Lesseps has called it. 

Ferries from New York render the great work easily acces- 
sible at any hour of the day. 

8. City Hall.— This building is prettily situated in City 
Hall Park, north of the Post Office, aud is of Massachusetts 
marble, with numerous columns in the Greek style ornament- 
ing its principal facade, which is the one shown in the view. 
The Hall is somewhat over 200 feet in length by 100 feet in 
breadth. There is always a light in the clock-tower at night. 
Historians will find a large collection of portraits of prominent 
men who have figured in the annals of the city in the interior 
rooms, besides certain mementoes of Washington, chairs used 
at the first Congress, etc., etc. There is a library in the 
building. The date of erection of the City Hall was 1803 ; and 
the general style of the architecture, as well as the workman- 
ship, will compare very favorably with later efforts, which too 
often sacrifice substantial qualities to mere showy effect. 
Sometimes, however, the great increase in the prices of labor 
and materials since the time of which we are speaking, will 
account for the plain appearance of public buildings upon 
which vast sums of money have been spent. This unfortunate 
state of affairs is also aggravated in a city like New York by 
the political dishonesty and ring-rule which invariably inter- 
fere to render public works of all kinds needlessly expensive. 
The corruption and villainy of the New York "rings" and 



102 NEW YORK CITY. 

"bosses" have long since passed into history, and constitute 
an indelible blot upon America and her fair fame. It is cer- 
tain that no city of the world can outdo New York in her his- 
tory of a rotten municipal administration. 

9. The Post Office. — Along the southern side of City 
Hall Park rises the facade of the imposing new Post Office. 
This fine granite building has been made fire-proof through- 
out, and has the French roof now so much employed by 
architects in our public edifices. The public hall, or corridor, 
on the ground floor is 600 feet long and 25 feet wide. The 
upper floors of the building are devoted to the different courts 
of the United States, and are easily accessible by elevators. 
The granite used in the construction of the building was cut 
ready for setting in the Dix Island quarries in Maine. The 
Astor House is opposite, on the western side of Broadway. 
This is one of the most crowded and busy points on Broad- 
way, and the stranger will find that no little entertainment 
may be had by simply standing still and watching the people 
as they pass along. It is difficult to say what class or nation- 
ality predominates in the crowds hurrying along here. The 
Irish are plentiful : so are the Germans. French are to be 
found too, but not in so great numbers. Italian laborers, in- 
cluding numerous women, and half-grown girls already trained 
to the carrying of burdens on their heads, are also to be seen 
here. The peculiar gait of these latter will not escape notice. 
The head and shoulders being held erect and quiet so as to 
support the weight, the loins and hips rotate slightly at each 
step, the movement increasing in proportion to the weight 
carried. These women and girls are generally muscular and 
strong, which serves, in a degree, to compensate for the ex- 
treme ugliness and awkwardness of their walk. 

ID. New York from the North River. — This view is 
a very familiar one to all who cross the river to or from 



NEW YORK CITY. 103 

Jersey City. The Dumber of sailing and steam vessels pres- 
ent varies at different times, the channel often being so 
crowded that navigation becomes difficult ; while, again, the 
river will be empty for hours, except for an occasional tug or 
steamboat, as seen in the center of the view. The dome of the 
new Post Office and spire of the Western Union Telegraph 
Office may be seen at the right and left of the smokestack of 
the steamer. The locality shown in the view is, perhaps, the 
busiest part of the North River. Those who have never vis- 
ited New York will find great interest in watching the ever- 
changing panorama of vessels as they move up and down the 
river. The great transatlantic steamers present a superb ap- 
pearance, particularly when just starting out with the decks 
crowded with passengers. The barges and lighters are also 
worth notice: some have several stories built one over the 
other so as to I'esemble a tower, giving a decidedly top-heavy 
look to the craft. The great steamers running on the different 
lines through Long Island Sound are even more striking in 
appearance than some of the ocean steamers. If the visitor 
be of an historic turn of mind, he will find it difficult to real- 
ize that this is the same stream on which Hendrick Hudson 
sailed on the "Half Moon." 

II, Highest Point of the Elevated Railroad at 
ii6th Street and 8th Avenue. — A comparison drawn be- 
tween London and New York regarding the means for rapid 
transit would show a great difference in the whole theory and 
practice of the matter. In London, the speed is about the 
same ; but the railroad is quite concealed from view, being 
sunk deep under ground, and thus not creating noise or nui- 
sance of any kind. The few cases in which damage was done to 
the foundations of buildings by the excavations in course of 
construction of the road were promptly compensated for. In 
New York, the expense of building the elevated roads was 



104 NEW YORK CITY. 

less, and the comfort to the traveling public is greater ; while 
the damage to property and loss to property-holders, owing to 
the passage of the trains close in front of the house-windows, 
have been and are very great. It is still a question whether 
proper compensation has ever been made to property-holders 
by the companies. A glance at the map of New York will 
show that the city is well supplied with these elevated roads 
running north and south. Horse-cars are still depended 
upon for the streets running east and west. Our view shows 
a train in motion. 

12. Residence of W. H. Vanderbilt, corner 5th 
Avenue and $26. Street. — Among the great private resi- 
dences or stately mansions of America, this one is entitled to 
rank perhaps first, or at least second, in point of size or 
extent, and in the amount of money expended upon it. The 
imposing residence of Stewart is the only one that can be 
said to rival it. 

Like other houses built by professional architects for our 
wealthy citizens, it has peculiarities in style which have 
caused much adverse criticism ; generally from jealous motives, 
however. When it is remembered that our architects are 
compelled simply to cater to the taste of their patrons, and 
that this taste often rims in very inartistic directions, we can 
hardly feel surprised at the architectural eyesores with which 
our cities have been and are being overfilled. 

Aside from these aesthetic considerations, the mansion is a 
marvel of perfect finish and luxurious appointment. Mr. 
Vanderbilt himself furnished the idea for the house, which 
was worked out by Messrs. Snook, architect, and Herter, deco- 
rator. The fact that the latter had much to do with the 
exterior of the building gave rise to very ill-natured remarks 
from certain architects. The house is believed to have cost 
not less than $4,000,000. The picture-gallery has been said 



NEW YOKK CITY. 105 

to be the first in art merit and money value of any existing 
private collection. This is doubtful. Amongst the many 
masterpieces of painting there are Meissonier's " Arrival at 
the Chateau" (cost $120,000); "General Desaix," by the 
same (cost $40,000) ; and " Le Bourget," by De Neuville (cost 
$20,000). 

(We are enabled to give the above details through the 
courtesy of Mr. George Barrie, of Philadelphia.) 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 

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014 221 663 2 



